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Thursday, October 29, 2009

In early 2009 the venerable Kill Rock Stars was once again rewarded for good taste when Thao Nguyen’s much lauded second album became the label’s best seller of 2008. If that album, We Brave Bee Stings and All, was taking a playful distance on growing pains to adulthood, Thao & Co.‘s third album, Know Better, Learn Faster, is a creative, catchy, and often ironically emotive reflection on the timeless theme “love hurts.” It’s all in the title, as Thao explains on the Kill Rock Stars page for the album: “The album is namedKnow Better Learn Faster because you can’t. By the time you realize you should, it’s too late.” Continue...

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Thursday night at la Feline, D.I.E./Le Grand Duc's usual smokin' set, plus a tribute to the Rocky HOrror Picture Show running through the night! The film will be projected too! Come have a shot compliments of the Grand Duc!

Every other Thursday Le Grand Duc du Kansas/D.I.E. takes you to Old SKOOL dancin', rockin', and sinnin'. Get ready to howl at the moon and shake your tail feather. Have a shot compliments of the Grand Duc! (Hard Honky Tonk, RnR, Garage, Surf,

Fri. Oct. 23: The Omens--garage punk from Colorado @ Le Rigoletto, which has just started taking up concerts in the garage punk genre. See poster below.

Oct. 23 Fuck Buttons (experimental fuzzscapes/U.S.) @ Nouveau Casino. These post-rockers have a buzz about them in the indie hipster circles. Here's what to expect

Oct. 24 Kid Harpoon (pop/UK) @ Nouveau Casino. Quite buzzworthy UK popster. If you like Britpop, this could be a good show for you. Check out his myspace samples.

Oct. 26 Bowerbirds, Damien Jurado @ Pt. Ephemere: Damien Jurado is one of the best indie-singer-songwriters out there, in the vein of NIck Drake, Elliot Smith, Will Oldham, Vic Chestnutt, Ryan Adams. Some of his songs are bare with an acoustic guitar, while others have a drum and one other instrument. See video below. Bowerbirds are Nu-folk (or Freak Folk, or whatever) in the genre of Devendra Banhart, Animal Collective, and all those other experimental acoustic characters.

Plus, in the near future:

Nov. 22 @ Nouveau Casino: Black Joe Lewis: The current RAge with Soul and Rockin Blues Fans in the U.S. Get tickets now. Check the music here.

Dec. 7 @ Le Trabendo: THE SONICS, Kings of 60s American Garage Rock. Fast, noisy, catchy, dance-inducing--these guys are unbeatable. Let's see if they still have it in 'em.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Here’s another story about an album that a big label accepted and then promptly delivered to the cosmetic surgery department, only to be reincarnated years later in its original form (entitled

The Dandy Warhols

Are Sound). The Dandy Warhols’ tepidly received 2003 releaseWelcome to the Monkey House was co-produced with Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes, and then delivered to Russell Alvedo (the Roots, D’Angelo) for mixing. However, Capitol Records wasn’t pleased with the mix, so they handed it over to British pop mixer Peter Wheatley (Sugababes, etc.). Wheatley is blamed for downright sabotaging that dandy product. Lucky for history that the original pristine gem has been rescued from its fate to wither away in some corporate records dungeon? Well, let’s not exaggerate. But there's plenty to appreciate in this renovated Monkey House.

La Miroiterie: "A squat that offers interesting concerts and exhibitions. There is also a free shop, where you can both take and bring second-hand clothes, books, toys, and more" (Wikitravel).88, rue de Menilmontant, 75020 Paris. Metro: Menilmontant.

Point Ephemere: 19me. One of our favorite bar/resto/concert venues in Paris. Located in an old warehouse on the edge of the Canal St. Martin, Quai de Valmy, just south of MetroJaures, this is a big and important space for indieParis. It has art expos, a cheap resto/bar (pints ofGrolsch for 5euros/2.5 for a demi), and a monthly musical offerings from dj-ed electro toindie rock. 200 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris. Metro: Jaures, Louis Blanc.

EspaceJemmapes: Cultural center located along the Canal St. Martin. Throughout the year, thecenter provides courses in the plastic arts, performing arts, sports, dance and music and areopen to everyone. 116 rue de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris. Metro: Jacques Bonsergent

Le Fanfaron: Tiny rock bar with great character. Not for tourists. 6 Rue de la Main d'Or, 75011. Metro Ledru-Rollin.

Petit Garage: 63, Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud 75011 Metro : Menilmontant, Couronnes, or Parmentier. More student and bobo these days, but the owner still plays some good rock, punk, and new wave.